Topical Encyclopedia
In the Christian theological framework, righteousness is a central theme that underscores the moral and spiritual standards set by God. It is often understood as the quality of being morally right or justifiable, aligning with God's will and commandments. For the saints, or those who are set apart as holy and devoted to God, the concept of righteousness takes on a profound significance, particularly in the context of their own perceived righteousness.
The phrase "count their own, as filthy rags" is derived from the biblical understanding that human righteousness, when compared to the perfect holiness of God, is insufficient and tainted by sin. This concept is most directly referenced in
Isaiah 64:6, which states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" . This verse highlights the inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness through personal deeds alone.
From a conservative Christian perspective, this acknowledgment of human insufficiency is crucial. It emphasizes the need for divine intervention and grace. The saints, despite their dedication and efforts to live according to God's laws, recognize that their own righteousness is flawed and cannot earn them salvation. This humility is a hallmark of true faith, as it leads believers to rely wholly on the righteousness of Christ.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles, particularly in
Philippians 3:8-9, where he writes, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith" . Here, Paul underscores the futility of relying on one's own righteousness and the necessity of faith in Christ for true righteousness.
The doctrine of imputed righteousness is central to this understanding. It posits that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are credited with His righteousness. This is not a righteousness of their own making but a divine gift that justifies them before God.
Romans 3:22-24 articulates this beautifully: "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" .
In summary, the saints' view of their own righteousness as "filthy rags" serves as a reminder of the limitations of human efforts and the necessity of divine grace. It is a call to humility, faith, and reliance on the righteousness of Christ, which alone can reconcile humanity to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... your prayers, as God doth, among your oaths; to count your solemn ... "All our
righteousness." Mark, Isaiah ... This is the cross that the saints must all bear, "Deny ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm
Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... It is true, all saints will not have the same ... are the scoffers of these last days,
who count the lives ... of acceptance with God, than by the righteousness of the ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm
An Awful Contrast
... linen which is the righteousness of saints, if you ... in his face," when they preferred
their own righteousness to Christ's ... Christ's sake, let us not count it hard ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/an awful contrast.htm
The Two Sons.
... the distinct avowal of their ungodliness, and count on it ... filthy rags, flees to Christ
as his righteousness, he is ... the body, to a vision of the saints in rest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm
Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... while carrying misery into the hearts and families of God's saints. ... Doth unbelief
count God a liar? ... was but a type of heaven, how can the righteousness of the ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm
An Appeal to Sinners
... great atonement, and to be clothed with all his righteousness. ... man and man usually,
if we count our fellow ... and again the only comfort of the saints; on this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/an appeal to sinners.htm
Joy in Salvation
... foolish as to patch up a fictitious righteousness, but I ... indeed unworthy of the name,
and you count yourself so ... I believe the perseverance of the saints to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/joy in salvation.htm
The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but ... linen,
clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Rev.19 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm
Christ the End of the Law
... a persecutor and injurious, he raged and raved against the saints and haled ... say that
we also rejoice to cast away our own righteousness and count it dross ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the end of the.htm
The First Last, and the Last First
... which is through the faith of Christ; the righteousness which is ... who am less than
the least of all saints, is this ... has been unable to hold a pen, we count it a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the first last and the.htm
Resources
What is the fruit of righteousness in Philippians 1:11? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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